HB6 • 2026

Identity theft; establish procedure for victim to have debt forgiven and credit reports purged.

AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A PROCEDURE FOR A VICTIM OF IDENTITY THEFT TO HAVE THE DEBT FORGIVEN AND CREDIT REPORTS PURGED; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Did Not Pass

The latest official action shows that this bill did not move forward in that session.

Sponsor: Clark, Anthony
Last action: 2026-02-03
Official status: Dead
Effective date: July 1, 20

Plain English Breakdown

The bill did not pass, but the summary accurately reflects its intended provisions if it had been enacted.

Identity Theft Debt Forgiveness Act

This bill creates a process for identity theft victims to have their debts forgiven and credit reports cleared.

What This Bill Does

Defines 'identity theft' as using someone else's personal information without permission to obtain goods, money, or other valuable things.
Allows victims of identity theft to send a certified letter to creditors requesting forgiveness of the debt and removal from their credit report.
Requires creditors to respond within 60 days after receiving the victim’s letter; otherwise, the victim can petition chancery court for relief.
In court, victims must prove they did not incur or benefit from the debt and that they reported the theft to law enforcement.

Who It Names or Affects

Victims of identity theft
Creditors who have debts claimed by identity thieves

Terms To Know

Identity Theft: Using someone else's personal information without permission to obtain goods, money, or other valuable things.
Creditor: A person or company that lends money and expects it back with interest.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill did not pass in the session.
Victims must prove they are not responsible for the debt before a court can order forgiveness and removal from credit reports.

Bill History

2026-02-03 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
02/03 (H) Died In Committee
2026-01-07 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
01/07 (H) Referred To Judiciary A;Banking and Financial Services

Official Summary Text

Identity theft; establish procedure for victim to have debt forgiven and credit reports purged.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

H. B. No. 6 *HR26/R372* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
26/HR26/R372
PAGE 1 (GT\KW)

To: Judiciary A; Banking and
Financial Services
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Representatives Clark, Anthony

HOUSE BILL NO. 6

AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A PROCEDURE FOR A VICTIM OF IDENTITY 1
THEFT TO HAVE THE DEBT FORGIVEN AND CREDIT REPORTS PURGED; AND FOR 2
RELATED PURPOSES. 3
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 4
SECTION 1. (1) As used in this section, the term "identity 5
theft" means the use of a person's personal identity information 6
to obtain goods, money or anything of value without that person's 7
authorization. 8
(2) Any person who is the victim of identity theft may send 9
a letter via certified mail to a creditor that claims to have a 10
debt owing to them as a result of the identity theft, informing 11
the creditor of the theft and requesting the creditor to release 12
the victim from any and all obligations of the debt and report 13
that release to all credit reporting bureaus identified in the 14
letter and request removal of the debt from the victim's credit 15
history. Sixty (60) days after receipt of the certified letter 16
from the victim, if the creditor fails to forgive the debt and 17
contact the credit bureaus, then the victim may petition the 18
H. B. No. 6 *HR26/R372* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/HR26/R372
PAGE 2 (GT\KW)
ST: Identity theft; establish procedure for
victim to have debt forgiven and credit reports
purged.
chancery court where the petitioner resides or where the debt was 19
incurred, naming the creditor as defendant and providing service 20
of process to the creditor in accordance with the Mississippi 21
Rules of Civil Procedure. The creditor is not required to file an 22
answer in order for the petitioner's claim to be heard. The 23
victim shall file a sworn petition evidencing: 24
(a) That the petitioner did not incur the debt or give 25
consent for the debt; 26
(b) That the petitioner did not have knowledge of the 27
debt at the time that the debt was incurred; 28
(c) That the petitioner has filed a formal complaint 29
and report with the law enforcement agency where he resides or 30
where the debt was incurred; and 31
(d) That the petitioner did not receive any pecuniary 32
benefit as a result of the debt. 33
Upon satisfactory showing to the court, the court shall issue 34
an order requiring the creditor to release the victim from any and 35
all obligations of the debt and shall authorize the petitioner to 36
report that release to all credit bureaus identified in the letter 37
and request removal of the debt from the victim's credit history. 38
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from 39
and after July 1, 2026. 40